The largest Catholic school system is growing

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Officials in Chicago say enrollment in the city's Catholic elementary schools has increased for the second year in a row.

“We have seen extraordinary efforts in the last two years on the part of families, parishes and donors that have contributed to these results, which are also made possible by the commitment of our school administrators, teachers and volunteers working with our students and families,” notes Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in a press release.

The increase in enrollment marks the first time that's happened since 1965.

Chicago has the largest Catholic school system in the nation.

The Archdiocese of Chicago said Friday that enrollment in city schools in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade has grown by nearly 650 students in the past two years.

But enrollment in the archdiocese's suburban schools is down by less than 1 percent.

The archdiocese's school spokesman, Ryan Blackburn, says some young families that would normally move to the suburbs might not be doing so because they can't sell their homes in the city. And those families might be choosing to put their children in Catholic schools.